Type O Diet & Bananas

"Eat Right 4 Your Type" is a nutrition plan devised by Dr. Peter D'Adamo. It is centered on the principal that certain types of foods that contain lectin proteins can have a damaging effect according to your blood type. The diet claims that lectins affect the different blood groups in distinct ways and lists what type of foods each group should eat to minimize lectin damage.

Type O

According to Dr. D'Adamo, those with type O blood will feel the need for more animal proteins, as their tendency to have a high level of stomach acid means their digestive system and metabolism can efficiently deal with meat. Therefore D'Adamo encourages type Os to eat plenty of poultry and fish, or lean chemical-free red meat. He advises that type Os eat a minimum of grains and dairy products as he alleges they do not tolerate these foods well.

Bananas

Bananas are a readily available fruit, which can be purchased all year round. A medium-sized banana contains around 100 calories, 0.4g of fat and 3.1g of healthy dietary fiber. Bananas are a rich source of potassium, which ensures growth of muscle tissues and can help keep blood pressure normal. The banana is considered a suitable, although not optimal, fruit choice for blood type Os.

Fruits

Because type Os do not tolerate grains well, fruits are an excellent healthy fiber source alternative. Type Os tolerate most fruits well, but optimal choices are plums, prunes and figs. Melons should be avoided by type Os as they may cause allergic reactions, and fruits with a high acid content including oranges, tangerines and strawberries could cause stomach irritation in a type O because of their high acid content. Avocados and any product containing coconut should also be avoided by type Os.

Vegetables

Vegetables are generally well tolerated by type Os. Artichokes, turnips, garlic and red peppers are among the optimal choices. Corn should be avoided as it can effect insulin production in type Os. Eggplant and potatoes are claimed to cause arthritic conditions in type Os, although sweet potatoes are recommended. Alfalfa sprouts, shiitake mushrooms and fermented olives may cause irritation to the type O digestive tract.

Expert Insight

Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D., a Mayo Clinic nutritionist says there is no scientific evidence that substantiates claims that a diet based on blood type diet is effective. Zeratsky suggests that due to the lack of solid evidence supporting the blood type diet, it is more beneficial to develop a healthy eating and exercise routine that you can follow indefinitely.